A blog celebrating the history of technology and creative genius over the centuries.

February 23, 2005

The First Bicycle Freewheel

An early bike design by Harmon D. Moise included a freewheel that allowed the rider to coast, and the pedals would remain in one position during coasting. It only had one gear, but multiple gear freewheels would follow. This U.S. patent for a very modern looking was in 1895, two years before Isaac Johnson's patent for a folding frame bicycle, and ten years after John Starley's Rover. This frame is more like a modern frame than the Rover, because it has a seat tube.